If you experience an ingrown toenail and it doesn’t get better with at-home treatments, it’s important to seek professional help. Without intervention, your toenail may become infected, increasing the risk of potentially serious complications. At Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants, the board-certified orthopaedic surgeons provide complete care for ingrown toenails. To make an appointment, call the practice in Merrillville, Indiana, or book online today.
An ingrown toenail occurs when your nail grows into the soft skin around it instead of out and away from your toe. Most ingrown toenails resolve on their own. However, if you have diabetes or another condition that affects your circulation, they may increase the risk of complications.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:
As the condition gets worse, you might also notice pus oozing from your toe.
Ingrown toenails occur for various reasons, including:
You might also experience an ingrown nail if you have unusually curved toenails.
To diagnose an ingrown toenail, your provider at Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants has you remove your shoes and socks and examines your toes. If you have red or irritated skin around your nail, it’s likely ingrown. Your provider might also order X-rays to determine how deep the nail reaches into your skin.
Treatment of an ingrown toenail depends on various factors, including the severity of your symptoms and if it’s a recurring problem. Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants might recommend:
If you have an ingrown nail that’s only slightly red, your provider might lift it. To do that, they place a piece of cotton or dental floss underneath the nail. The lifting encourages it to grow out and away from your toe, relieving the pain and inflammation.
If you have an ingrown nail oozing pus, your provider might recommend removing at least part of it. First, they numb your toe with a local anesthetic. Then, they use special tools to carefully remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
If you regularly experience ingrown nails on the same toe, your provider might recommend removing the nail completely. There are several ways to do that, including laser and chemical methods.
Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to relieve uncomfortable symptoms, restore your mobility, and improve your quality of life.
To explore the treatment options for an ingrown toenail, make an appointment at Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants by calling the office or booking online today.
